Thinking Bigger Business Media—25 Under 25 Supplement, February 2018

Hosted by:

17th Annual

25 UNDER 25 AWARDS

February 24, 2018

Star Sponsor:

25 Under 25 :: 2018 :: CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2018

WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE YOU JOIN US AS ONE OF KANSAS CITY’S 25 UNDER 25 HONOREES. KEEP OUR ENTREPRENEURIAL VISION SHARP.

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THINKING BIGGER BUSINESS :: 25 Under 25 :: 2018

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25 Under 25 :: 2018 :: THE BIGGER PICTURE

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 25 UNDER 25 CLASS OF 2018!

W

e are so happy to welcome you into the 25 Under 25

We’re grateful to the sponsors, alumni, advisory board members,

family of companies—now 17 years strong.

judges and the legion of other supporters who have made the 5 Under 25 awards program possible year after year.

Kansas City is home to some of the nation’s savviest, most daring entrepreneurs. Look at this year’s winners—or any of

Please help us celebrate this year’s honorees at 6 p.m. Saturday,

25 Under 25®’s 400 alumni—and you’ll find small businesses

Feb. 24, at the Downtown Marriott’s Muehlebach Hotel, Imperial

that have achieved phenomenal growth in revenue, developed

Ballroom. Tickets and table sponsorships are available through our

innovative products and services, and outmaneuvered the nation’s

event website at www.25under25.com. We can’t wait to see you!

largest corporations.

Each of you embodies this year’s event theme “Kansas City Businesses Thinking Bigger.”

K el ly Sc an l o n

2018 ENTREPRENEURIAL LEGACY AWARD HONOREE

// Publisher // kscanlon@iThinkBigger.com

08 DMC Service

13 Morgan Miller Plumbing

08 Freedom Interiors

14 MTI Events

09 FSC

14 Network Innovations

10 Good Energy Solutions

16 notes to self

PANEL OF JUDGES

10 Happy Food Co.

17 PARTNERS N PROMOTION

06 Meet the Judges

11 High Prairie Landscape Group

17 Pioneer Music Company

11 Kansas City Foot and Ankle

18 Prineta

12 KC Crew

18 SureHosting Internet Solutions

12 KC Restoration

19 Sydney’s Pet Spa

12 Meridian Business Services

19 Thirsty Coconut

13 Midwest Sports Productions

20 Wide Awake Films

04 Joe and Judy Roetheli Founders of Key Companies & Associates LLC and the creators of Greenies® pet treats

Six of the city’s leading small business advocates selected this year’s honorees.

25 UNDER 25 AWARD HONOREES 07 Adams Dairy Bank 07 Cherry 07 Code Koalas

Contributing writers: Katie Bean, James Hart, Kate Liebsle, David Mitchell SMART COMPANIES THINKING BIGGER®

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25 Under 25 :: 2018 :: ENTREPRENEURIAL LEGACY AWARD

Building More Than a Business JOE AND JUDY ROETHELI CONTINUE TO INNOVATE AND GIVE BACK.

J

oe and Judy Roetheli didn’t intend to become entrepreneurs.

Joe was an agricultural economist who had worked for the federal government and academia for 20 years; Judy was a teacher.

But when they came up with a treat that freshened their dog’s bad breath, they knew

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THINKING BIGGER BUSINESS :: 25 Under 25 :: 2018

they had created a product that was meant to be shared.

“We went to almost every bank in a wide metro area and gave them our proposals,” Judy said. “We felt like they were laughing at us because we were a school teacher and a government worker with no business

experience or collateral trying to start a pet business with a very unique green treat.”

But they knew that if they gave up on the idea, someone else would pick it up and run with it. So they persisted.

Their determination paid off. In 1996, the Roethelis founded S&M NuTec and began manufacturing Greenies breathfreshening dog treats. The company grew to 95 employees and became the eighth-largest pet food company in the world and the No. 1 treat in the U.S. In 2006, they sold it to Mars Inc. They retained no ownership.

The Roethelis are the 2018 Entrepreneurial Legacy Award recipients. The honor is given at the 25 Under 25 Awards Dinner and Gala to individuals who have made a lasting contribution to Kansas City’s entrepreneurial community.

25 Under 25 :: 2018

And their legacy doesn’t end with the sale of Greenies.

SERIAL ENTREPRENEURS

The Roethelis haven’t been idle since selling their company.

“We just keep trying new things. That’s just the way life is,” Judy said.

After exiting S&M NuTec, the couple couldn’t work in the pet treat industry for five years. So they tried other things: a spa, a smoker business, a café, real estate investing.

Now, one of their companies, SM Products (Class of 2012), creates power tool accessories that are sold under the brand name Spyder on Amazon.com and in hardware stores including Menards and Lowe’s.

“We are definitely the David amongst the Goliaths,” Joe said. “We compete with Milwaukee, DeWalt, Lenox, Bosch, Black and Decker, all those big guys. And here we are, a small company in Kansas City coming up with new ways to do things easier. …

We’re just trying to make that into a nice, good size business.”

They’re succeeding: Spyder has grown from having one product, the 4-inch Spyder Scraper, to a brand containing seven product lines and more than 180 products. They project 55 percent growth in 2018.

GIVING BACK

One consistent pursuit of the Roethelis’ has been their Lil’ Red Foundation (www.lilredfoundation.org). It supports entrepreneurial enterprises, inspirational stories, pet therapy, prison ministries and homebuilding projects in Guyana.

The foundation was established in 2003 when their first company “started taking off,” Joe said. The couple invested equity in the foundation, so when S&M NuTec sold, the foundation “had some money to work with.”

The foundation’s work in Guyana came about through some fortuitous connections.

“It’s all about Food for the Poor and the move to our hearts by the Spirit to do something beyond ourselves,” Judy said.

A visiting priest made the couple aware of the nonprofit Food for the Poor. After a stalled start in Jamaica, the couple shifted their focus to the South American country that’s about the size of Kansas. There, they’ve built five villages, providing homes

MORE TO COME

for families that never had their own homes before. Most of the villages also include a school.

On visits to Guyana, both Joe and Judy have had people pull them aside to thank them. Judy said one person told them: “I wanted to get to meet you all today because I wanted to meet people that care enough about my people here in Guyana that they would build homes for these people— because nobody here cares about us, and you care about us.”

“That really touched my heart,” she said.

Even with as much as they’ve accomplished, the Roethelis aren’t slowing down in their pursuits. “We’re both getting up there in age, but Joe figures he’s not quite half as old as he’s going to live,” Judy said.

“I’ve got pretty good genes,” Joe said.

“Why shouldn’t I, Lord willing, be able to live to 150 or so?”

Katie Bean is the Executive Vice President at Thinking Bigger Business Media.

(913) 432-6690 // kbean@ithinkbigger.com

ABOUT THE AWARD

contributions to the entrepreneurial community. In recognition of

Every year at the 25 Under 25 Awards Dinner and Gala,

Joe and Judy Roetheli’s service

Thinking Bigger Business Media

and example, Thinking Bigger

presents the Entrepreneurial

Business Media is honored

Legacy Award to an individual

to present them with the 2018 Entrepreneurial Legacy Award.

who has made lasting

Official bank of

Coffee

Fueling those who are always on the go.

®

SMART COMPANIES THINKING BIGGER®

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25 Under 25 :: 2018 :: JUDGES

KATHEIGH HULL DEGEN Co-Owner :: Twin Financial Inc.

With more than 30 years of financial services experience, Katheigh Hull Degen has helped hundreds of clients discover their potential to build wealth, create security and live their dreams.

With her twin sister, Raleigh, Degen founded Twin Financial in 1988. Their complementary expertise in asset protection (Katheigh) and wealth accumulation (Raleigh) helps ensure clients always receive a comprehensive view of their financial status.

ALAN FARRIS

Senior Vice President and Kansas City Market Manager :: Landmark National Bank

Alan Farris is senior vice president and Kansas City market manager for Landmark National Bank, where he coordinates all aspects of commercial banking. Farris sits on the board of the Center Education Foundation, which helps to support the teachers and students of the Center School District, his alma mater, and has served on numerous civic and business boards.

DANIEL KJERGAARD, CPA

Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. :: Lead Managing Director :: CBIZ MHM LLC

Daniel Kjergaard serves as a managing director in CBIZ’s Kansas City office.

Kjergaard provides tax and consulting services for primarily small to mediumsized clients in a variety of industries.

Kjergaard serves on boards and is a member of several community service agencies and professional organizations.

JEFF SHACKELFORD

Executive Director :: Digital Sandbox KC

Kansas City’s Digital Sandbox, also known as a proof-of-concept center, launched in February 2013.

The program has funded development projects, more than 90 local startups and helped create 46 new companies. It has assisted in securing more than $43 million in equity investments and created nearly 550 new Kansas City area jobs. Jeff Shackelford’s professional background blends a rare combination of Fortune 100 experience with entrepreneurial, startup and early-stage ventures, including a successful track record in capital fundraising of more than $500 million.

He was recently listed as one of the Top 50 leaders and visionaries helping to shape Kansas City by 435 Magazine.

CHRISTAL WATSON President and CEO :: Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce

Christal E. Watson is the president and CEO of the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce. Under her leadership, Heartland is becoming the fastest growing minority chamber in the Midwest.

Watson has served in leadership roles with companies such as Sprint, United Way, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools and Truman

Medical Centers, contributing skills to business process improvement, community relations, resource development and human resource management.

A native of Kansas City, Kan., Watson has previously served for the Board of Education— Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools, and serves on a host of other boards centered around youth and health care.

On a national level, Watson serves on the board of directors for the U.S. Black Chambers Inc., in Washington, D.C. In addition, she was appointed to serve as chairwoman of the President’s Council, which consists of the nation’s leading Black Chamber executives.

MICHELLE WORD

Manager of Supplier Diversity :: Burns & McDonnell

Michelle Word is manager of supplier diversity for Burns & McDonnell. She is responsible for assisting in sourcing and utilizing diverse businesses with expertise in performing the scopes of work necessary to support specific projects.

Word actively participates in several organizations with a goal to increase business development opportunities between majority and diverse businesses, such as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, the Minority Contractors Association and the Mountain Plains Minority Business Development Council, among others.

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codekoalas.com 6

THINKING BIGGER BUSINESS :: 25 Under 25 :: 2018

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25 Under 25 :: 2018

ADAMS DAIRY BANK

CHERRY

David Chinnery

Thalia Cherry

Blue Springs, Mo.

Kansas City, Mo.

Founded :: 2008

Founded :: 2012

14 employees

5 FTEs, 19 seasonal

AdamsDairyBank.com

CherrySportsGear.com

Adams Dairy Bank had to find a niche to stand out in a crowded industry. It decided to be the “Cheers” of banks: where everybody knows your name, and you’re always glad you came.

The bank claims it knows each of its 3,000 customers by name.

The bank was founded on the principle of being high-touch and service-oriented. It is committed to refusing to charge monthly fees and says this approach has paid dividends— not in shareholder payments but in developing loyal customers, 92 percent of whom say they would recommend Adams Dairy Bank to others.

The bank grew steadily in a decade but recently became much bigger. In December 2017, Adams Dairy agreed to merge into Wichita-based Equity Bank. The deal is expected to close in spring of 2018, and Adams Dairy will be part of Equity Bank’s Kansas City network of seven locations, including Overland Park, Lee’s Summit, Kansas City Northland and Blue Springs.

The combination makes Adams Dairy part of a bank with more than $3 billion in assets and will give Adams Dairy a higher lending limit.

The banks share a commitment to entrepreneurship. David Chinnery, chairman and CEO of Adams Dairy, was an EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 award finalist in the Central Midwest.

Thalia Cherry is a lifelong athlete. So when she decided to start a business, working with athletes of all levels was a no-brainer.

Her business, Cherry, sells sporting goods and licensed apparel. The company works with professional teams and athletes, high schools and colleges nationwide. The company, which is certified as women- and minority-owned, also works with corporate and nonprofit entities, including KCP&L and the Negro League Baseball Museum.

Cherry looks to expand in new areas—both geographic and business. In 2017, the company found success launching an apparel line for

“ A brand has to be authentic to be successful, which requires executing exceptional service day and night.”

CODE KOALAS Ryan Wyse Kansas City, Mo. Founded :: 2011 16 employees CodeKoalas.com

Like many entrepreneurs, Ryan Wyse built a business out of doing what he knows well.

Code Koalas is a web and app development company that started out of Wyse’s home. He had three goals: to take better care of clients than anyone else, to provide for his family and to provide an opportunity for others to work in web development, even if they lacked the education or experience other companies would require.

With this focus, Code Koalas has grown steadily—it now employs 16 people in its Crossroads Arts District office. But Wyse has bigger plans. In 2017, the company submitted a plan to the Missouri Department of Economic Development to grow to 88 employees over five years. That earned

high school seniors; the founder expects senior sales to double in 2018.

Other expansion opportunities are on the horizon for Cherry— the company plans to open its first retail location this year at Kemper Arena, which is being renovated as a youth sports venue. Cherry also has its sights set on entering markets in Texas and Atlanta in the future.

Even as a relatively young company, Cherry is committed to giving back.

The Cherry Foundation was set up at the same time as the business. Cherry donates 10 percent of its annual revenue to education and athletic initiatives. “ One of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned is the value of your network.”

Code Koalas a Missouri Works grant that could provide more than $400,000 in taxsavings incentives.

The company has overcome challenges in its path to growth. For one, Wyse had to transition from working in the business to working on the business. With no formal business education, he had to teach himself and seek resources such as the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program.

Wyse’s experience has led to a culture of learning at Code Koalas. The company gives each new employee a Kindle e-reader, and as a group, employees read books on personal or business development.

“ The future is bright here at Code Koalas. … We’re excited at the potential that the future holds and we look forward to making awesome in Kansas City for many years to come!”

SMART COMPANIES THINKING BIGGER®

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25 Under 25 :: 2018

Olathe, Kan. Founded :: 2004 11 FTEs DMCServiceInc.com

It’s frustrating for anyone when the heat conks out or the A/C goes on the fritz.

For the operators of commercial or industrial buildings, though, an HVAC or plumbing problem can be exponentially worse. Server rooms, industrial refrigerators, production lines full of people—all need to be kept at certain temperatures to function properly.

That’s why so many clients trust Karen Crnkovich and the team at DMC Service Inc. to keep their properties comfortable, safe and healthy.

The Olathe-based, WBE-certified business fields a seasoned team of expert technicians who install, maintain and replace equipment from a huge selection of manufacturers. Clients often find DMC’s service pays for itself in

FREEDOM INTERIORS Carol Espinosa Kansas City, Mo. Founded :: 2010 8 employees Fre3dom.net

THINKING BIGGER BUSINESS :: 25 Under 25 :: 2018

one of the Top 10 women-owned businesses in Kansas City, all for

Joelsette Hernandez-Jones :: Pharos Partners Inc. Consuella McCain :: Turner Construction Company Cindy Meyer :: Vistage Worldwide Kathy Peterson :: Heartland Seating Inc. Joe Valenciano :: BMO Harris Paul Weber :: EAG Advertising & Marketing Michelle Word :: Burns & McDonnell Mike Wrenn :: Affinity Worldwide

KC BUSINESSES THINKING BIGGER

the greater purpose of changing the lives of our employees, our customers and the community for the better.”

presence in the Kansas City market and beyond, with annual revenues approaching $10 million.

What started as a one-woman show has grown to a team of eight.

For the last four years, Freedom Interiors had been based at the Blue Hills Contractor Incubator, a key ally in the company’s growth.

Now, Freedom is embarking on the next big stage of its evolution with the purchase of a 7,000-square-foot historic post office building in Westport. The company has transformed the building into its own working showroom, including collaboration, focus, social, learning and rejuvenation spaces, as well as an Education Center showcasing the latest in K-12 and higher-ed furnishings.

Down the road, Espinosa plans for further growth, with a goal of doubling staff in the next two years.

CO M M E R C I A L H E AT I N G CO O L I N G & P L U M B I N G

THANK YOU

to our customers and team members for making us

#ShineBright as a

25 Under 25® company.

And congrats to the entire class of 2018!

“ At Freedom, our goal is to bring our clients’ vision to reality through workplace design.”

W

ENTY-FIV

E∙

8

ship has set their sights on being

Joyce Christanio :: Sprint

UNDER

W

∙T

Want happy customers? Then you need happy employees, and one way to foster an engaged, empowered workforce is through a well-designed workplace.

That’s where Carol Espinosa and the team at Freedom Interiors come in. The firm offers interior design for corporate, education and government clients, guiding them from envisioning to procurement to installation.

Freedom offers the latest technology— including 3-D imaging and virtual reality—and years of expertise to clients who need a space tailored to their needs.

Though workplace design is a competitive field, Freedom—which is WBE- and MBEcertified—has developed a burgeoning

“ Long term, DMC Service leader-

Jeanie Brewster :: JeanieB Inc.

EN

E∙

Karen Crnkovich

the form of energy savings and extended equipment life.

And if there is an emergency? DMC delivers lightning-fast repair service, 24 hours a day.

Clients aren’t the only ones who benefit from DMC’s expertise. Every year on the Diamond Day of Service, the team donates its time and materials to a nonprofit agency or family in need.

Crnkovich became majority owner of DMC in 2012 and full owner in 2015. DMC ended 2017 with annual revenues that were up nearly 50 percent compared to the year before.

∙T

DMC SERVICE INC.

Special Thanks to the 2018 25 Under 25 Advisory Board

TY-FI

V

E S T. 2 0 0 1

DMCSERVICEINC.COM

25 Under 25 :: 2018

FSC INC. Sonia Garapaty Overland Park, Kan. Founded :: 1979 17 employees FSC-Inc.com

In the nearly four decades FSC Inc. has been in business, it has morphed and grown.

The consulting engineering firm is minority- and woman-owned. It offers service in fire protection; mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP); code/life safety; commissioning; LEED and sustainable design; and fire and smoke modeling.

FSC was founded in 1979 by Hasu Doshi, the firm’s president. The company was successful under Doshi’s leadership, but it really began to grow once his daughter, Sonia Garapaty, joined the firm in 2005. Since then, it has added a code consulting division,

Join Us February 24 :: acquired other firms as subsidiaries to grow FSC’s manpower and client base, and opened an office in India.

The India office in Bhopal employs six people and allows FSC to work on projects around the clock, due to the time difference. Most of the employees there are women, who have a harder time finding engineering work in India.

Most recently, the firm launched a new software application called FSC iCalc. The platform helps engineers calculate more effectively. CEO Garapaty said iCalc is based on programs Doshi had created for himself over 30 years ago; an in-house software developer is helping the firm develop calculator applets. Breaking into software as a service (SaaS) moves the firm in a completely new direction—and one that no other competing firm has tackled.

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KC BUSINESSES THINKING BIGGER

“ We are here to change the future.”

WE WANT TO BE THE BANK BEHIND THE LOAN BEHIND THE NEXT 25 UNDER 25 HONOREE. The bank built on entrepreneurial spirit congratulates bank customer DMC Service as well as all the honorees this year on this year’s 25 Under 25 ®.

MEMBER FDIC bankbv.com

COMMUNITY | PHILANTHROPY | ENTREPRENEURSHIP

SMART COMPANIES THINKING BIGGER®

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25 Under 25 :: 2018

GOOD ENERGY SOLUTIONS Kevin Good Lawrence, Kan. Founded :: 2007 21 employees GoodEnergySolutions.com

A broken wrist is at the heart of the founding of Good Energy Solutions.

Owner and founder Kevin Good found himself with a broken bone a little more than 10 years ago and wondered how he would continue his woodworking business. With time on his hands, Good, already armed with a degree in mechanical engineering, enrolled in a contractor continuing education class focused on solar energy.

That’s when Good realized there was a great business opportunity in bringing solar technology to the masses.

It wasn’t easy—it took several years for the market to catch up with Good’s idea. Thanks

to extreme price drops in solar equipment, higher utility costs, a federal tax credit and a rebate program in Missouri, though, more and more homeowners and business owners are able to take advantage of the sun as a source of energy in the region. It’s harder in Kansas, he said, where “there’s not a lot of (government) support. The political will isn’t conducive to it.”

Still, Good’s business is growing. He’s up to more than 20 employees and is looking for more growth this year.

“We expect our sales to have a 50 percent growth,” he said. “The opportunities just keep increasing. Everybody consumes energy. It’s a growth story.” “ The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that the quality of a business is equal to the quality of the team of employees within the business.”

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HAPPY FOOD CO. Kiersten Firquain, Jeff Glasco Lenexa, Kan. Founded :: 2014 24 employees HappyFoodCo.com

It’s 4:30 p.m. You get a text from your teenager: “What’s for dinner?” Don’t panic—a Lenexa company has a solution for late-in-the-day meal planning.

Happy Food Co., founded and owned

by Kiersten Firquain, a chef for more than 20 years, and Jeff Glasco, an IT solutions specialist, is a one-stop meal kit featuring locally sourced food, completely prepped, with an easy recipe so the customer can prepare a meal in 30 minutes or less.

The business started as a workplace wellness program, with the team filling coolers at businesses. People grabbed the meals as they were leaving for the day and made them for dinner at home.

With mail-order meal kits trending, Happy Food Co. saw a need for an alternative to subscription services and created a ready-to-go kit that could be picked up while grocery shopping.

“Customers are still going to the grocery store,” Firquain said. “And 80 percent of us don’t know what we are having for dinner each day.”

The company is poised for big growth. Its kits are available in more than 40 stores in the metropolitan area and recently expanded to Tulsa, Okla. The company is developing a platform to launch nationwide.

• Encrypted email recaps • Encrypted messaging to smart phones.

“ We are investing in the customer experience— the shared cooking experience.”

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THINKING BIGGER BUSINESS :: 25 Under 25 :: 2018

Thinking Bigger Business Media Inc. extends a special Thank You to all the sponsors of the 17th Annual 25 Under 25 Awards Dinner & Gala ::

25 Under 25 :: 2018

HIGH PRAIRIE LANDSCAPE GROUP Robyn Schmitz Edwardsville, Kan. Founded :: 2010 17 employees GoHPLG.com

Sometimes a college job pays off in more ways than one. It did for Robyn Schmitz, owner of High Prairie Landscape Group, who turned a four-year stint with a landscaping company while studying at Kansas State University into a passion and business.

Today, she helms the high-end landscaping business she founded in 2010, beautifying homes throughout the metropolitan area.

The decision to strike out on her own came because as she worked for others, “everything looked the same,” she said.

“I knew more was possible.”

In 2012, she added an install team. Again, it was a question of quality.

“We would be designing and developing relationships with the homeowners, and then we couldn’t find contractors to take care of them the way we wanted,” she said.

Today, she leads her team of 17—including husband Bret, who joined the company in 2016—in handling all aspects of a landscaping project from start to finish. Note: SHE leads.

It’s a distinction she’s had to make on more than one occasion when people think that High Prairie is her husband’s company or that she only handles the pretty part of a project.

“In the beginning, people didn’t expect a younger female to be their landscaper because that doesn’t fit the stereotype,” she said.

“We’ve used persistence to overcome that and work to be two to three steps ahead of our competition.” “ In the beginning, people didn’t expect a younger female to be their landscaper because that doesn’t fit the stereotype.”

Star Sponsor

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Lead Bank Champagne Toast Sponsors

Burns & McDonnell Sprint Supplier Diversity Print Sponsors

Proprint Digital Alphagraphics, Downtown KC Media Sponsor

The Heisenbergs Social Media Sponsor

Think Viral KANSAS CITY FOOT AND ANKLE Dr. Mark Green Kansas City, Mo. Founded :: 1993 18 employees KansasCityFootandAnkle.com

Dr. Mark Green established Kansas City Foot and Ankle in 1993, and for almost two decades, the podiatric practice cruised along with one location, growing step by step through word of mouth.

In 2011, Green decided to step up his business plan. He needed to be more strategic to further grow the business. A focus on branding and marketing helped to increase patient and revenue volume, and from there, he was able to expand. Now, the practice has five doctors and two locations. It has grown 320 percent since 2011, and the practice had more than 16,000 patient visits in 2017.

Growing the business also has added jobs— the practice more than doubled its employee

count from eight in 2011 to 18 now. Kansas City Foot and Ankle has one location in the Northland and one in South Kansas City to serve a large portion of the metro area.

As he worked on the business, Green found support in the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program in 2014. He also has focused on creating a culture where his team members are engaged and excited about their work, and in turn, focus on providing world-class experiences for their patients.

Reception Napkin Sponsor

Equity Bank Alumni Reunion Sponsor

Country Club Bank VIP Reception Sponsors

BASYS Processing :: The Gallery Nomination Sponsor

EAG Advertising & Marketing Entrepreneurial Patron Sponsors Affinity Guerrilla Marketing :: Bank of Blue Valley Bank Midwest :: Blue Cross Blue Shield :: CBIZ Honeywell :: JE Dunn :: KCP&L :: People People Principal Financial Group Technology Group Solutions :: The Purple Guys

“ Our goal is to continue to lead the industry in the use of advanced technology and to never stop improving on the patient experience.”

Alumni After Party Host Heartland Seating Inc. Kansas City Testing & Engineering Towner Communications

THANK YOU SMART COMPANIES THINKING BIGGER®

11

25 Under 25 :: 2018

KC CREW Luke Wade Kansas City, Mo. Founded :: 2012 4 full-time, 20 part-time employees KCCrew.com

If you didn’t know you can compete at karaoke, Mario Kart or ax-throwing in Kansas City, you probably haven’t heard of KC Crew.

KC Crew, a veteran-owned small business, hosts adult sports leagues and special events that are “designed for people that are awesome, by people that are awesome.” It aims to bring together young professionals in fun, social settings.

KC Crew hosts more than 65 leagues in sports like kickball and sand volleyball; activities including ax-throwing, skee-ball and karaoke; and events such as a murder mystery party and the Downtown Open, an

KC RESTORATION LLC LeAnn and Bill Luemmen Olathe, Kan. Founded :: 2011 11 employees KCRestoration.com

When LeAnn and Bill Luemmen founded KC Restoration in 2011, it wasn’t because they were experts in metal refinishing—at the time, they weren’t.

It wasn’t because they had a lot of business experience—LeAnn was an elementary school teacher, and Bill was a police captain.

And it wasn’t because they had great connections in the Kansas City area—the Luemmens knew no one here when they decided to move from California. They were looking for a better place to raise their daughter, then 10, and through research, decided on Overland Park for its schools and low crime rate.

They chose to start KC Restoration, a WBE, to create opportunities for employees 12

THINKING BIGGER BUSINESS :: 25 Under 25 :: 2018

urban golfing event using the streetcar as a golf cart.

In 2012, KC Crew had about 1,000 league participants; in 2017, that number had grown to more than 9,600.

Founder Luke Wade has worked with the Kansas City, Mo., parks and recreation department to streamline its field rental process and improve local parks. KC Crew’s sand volleyball leagues proved so popular that the city made improvements to its courts in Roanoke Park.

In 2016, KC Crew worked with Port KC to build six new sand volleyball courts at Berkley Riverfront Park north of downtown.

The development has allowed the league to triple its sand volleyball participants and also introduces them to the area, which has a large mixed-use development aimed at millennials under construction. “ We are giving everyone a unique experience instead of just an ordinary one.”

to better their lives—and they’ve succeeded. The company employs 11 people and offers surprising benefits for a company its size.

It has sent four employees out of state for advanced training, paid for seven of them to attend community college courses and supported one employee in earning a human resources professional certification. The company offers a 3 percent match on its retirement plan, and 100 percent of its employees are contributing. It offered a $2,000 incentive for employees to quit smoking, which 20 percent of their workers took them up on. And 30 percent of its employees purchased their first home in the past two years.

MERIDIAN BUSINESS SERVICES LLC Amy Goode, Angela Eberhart, Heather Wright Louisburg, Kan. Founded :: 2003 19 employees MeridianBusiness.com

Amy Goode started her small business to fill a need for other small businesses.

She wanted new business owners to have someone to turn to when they were working to fulfill their dreams of being entrepreneurs.

She founded Meridian Business Services in 2003.

Its mission is to be an extension of the client’s financial advisory team and to lay the foundation for the next phase of the client’s business.

As Meridian grew itself, it was able to take advantage of its employees’ skills to expand into business solutions, including NetSuite, a software solution provider. Now, Meridian has 19 employees in Overland Park and Louisburg.

The company sees itself as a full-service consulting firm. It educates clients on tax codes and accounting principles but also provides guidance for companies to follow best practices with regard to operations and systems.

Meridian also gives back to the community by developing future accountants and consultants— it educates high school students and college interns about accounting, computer science and general business strategy.

In addition to giving financial lessons, many employees are involved in local schools and youth sports coaching. As a company, Meridian works with nonprofits, including the American Royal, and provides services pro bono or at a reduced fee. “ We believe that when we give

“ We hope that through our

back to the community, others

success we will be able to

will be encouraged to do the

contribute even more and make

same, and the world will be

a substantial difference.”

better off for it.”

25 Under 25 :: 2018

MIDWEST SPORTS PRODUCTIONS

MORGAN MILLER PLUMBING

Jeremy McDowell

Stella Crewse

Shawnee, Kan.

Grandview, Mo.

Founded :: 2007

Founded :: 1997

10 employees

17 employees

PlayMSP.com

MorganMillerPlumbing.com

Midwest Sports Productions puts on events of huge magnitude. It organizes regional tournaments for baseball and fastpitch softball— some with more than 500 teams.

These tournaments offer athletes the ability to hone their skills, extend the playing season and gain exposure to college recruiters.

The company started in 2007 with only one employee. Now, it has 10 employees, plus 4,000 square feet of office space and 6,600 square feet of warehouse space in Shawnee. The warehouse accommodates the MSP Sports Store, which offers tournament and sports gear.

In addition to providing opportunities for athletes to play, MSP also supports opportunities for them to learn the value of serving others.

Its MSP Love Program was inspired by an employee who died unexpectedly and serves as the company’s charitable arm. It includes the Josh Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund, founded in 2013, which has awarded more than $49,000 to Kansas City-area high school seniors. Its Top Gun Invitational Scholarship has provided $12,000 to students since 2013.

MSP also has partnered with Kansas City Royal Alex Gordon on Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a foundation aimed at eradicating childhood cancer. With the help of its participating teams, MSP has raised $136,000.

Jeff Miller’s father and grandfather were plumbers, and when he started his own company in 1997, he wanted it to focus on honesty, integrity and craftsmanship.

When Miller started his transition to retirement and named Stella Crewse as CEO in 2012, however, the company had neglected the importance of its brand and image and was struggling with inconsistent revenues, Crewse said.

“What we realized,” Crewse said, “was that our employees were creating our financial struggle. Not because of their cost to the company but because of their cost to our reputation. Many employees, some of whom were family, believed that they could work at

Thank you to our clients for always trusting us with your business needs and our dedicated staff for making it happen!

Morgan Miller without adhering to our standards and sharing our vision of honesty and integrity.

“Once the culture began to come into focus, we realized that some employees would have to move on.

It was scary to lose some long-time employees and difficult on some family and personal relationships. It was the best thing for Morgan Miller. We have to be who we say we are.”

Miller embraced social media and initiated a rebrand, which led to the company winning KCSourceLink’s Battle of the Brands competition in 2013. “ So many shops operate with only the dollar amount of the sale as their guiding light. Our focus is on honest advice to our customers and honest pay to our employees.”

Congratulations to our HARDWORKING team at Morgan Miller Plumbing and the entire 25 Under 25 class of 2018!

Thank you Kansas City for letting us serve you with honesty, integrity and craftsmanship for over 20 years.

“ When establishing a small business … you can’t afford to employ specialists. But, as you get bigger, you have to hand over some of these responsibilities to

www.meridianbusiness.com

real experts.”

morganmillerplumbing.com SMART COMPANIES THINKING BIGGER®

13

25 Under 25 :: 2018

MTI EVENTS Melissa DeLeon, Dennis Krupp Overland Park, Kan. Founded :: 1986 9 employees MTIEvents.com

When the recession hit in 2007, it was especially bad news for companies involved in corporate incentive trips and events.

Melissa DeLeon, owner of MTI Events, said reward-based programs “were some of the first things to lose allocations” in a turbulent economy.

Unfortunately for MTI, incentive trips accounted for 90 percent of the company’s portfolio.

“As they say, we had all our eggs in one basket, and it was the perfect recipe for disaster,” said DeLeon, a second-generation owner of the family business.

DeLeon said the company challenged itself, readjusted its focus and set its sights on

new verticals. The makeover resulted in a more diverse operation with 60 percent of its business rooted in travel incentives, 25 percent in corporate meetings and 15 percent in special events.

DeLeon said MTI can be a great advantage for companies that don’t have their own dedicated events staff.

“Our purpose is to save our clients time and money and provide a wealth of knowledge to keep events and incentive programs new and exciting,” she said. “MTI is the difference between a good event and an unforgettable one.” “ We deliver our clients’ visions and ensure that each incentive, meeting or event is one that fits their needs, fits their corporate culture, meets their budget and exceeds their expectations.”

Thinking Bigger Business Media is Proud to Present ::

Valissa Smith :: Emcee

The Dave Stephens Band :: Entertainment

NETWORK INNOVATIONS INC. Brian and Amy Gregory Olathe, Kan. Founded :: 1991 7 employees netinn.com

Brian Gregory’s preparation for owning and running a business was limited. Before becoming sole owner of Network Innovations Inc. at 19, he worked at a grocery store in high school.

“So I was this naïve kid that didn’t go to college, taking over a struggling business with a bank account that was the consistently overdrawn by $30,000,” Gregory said. “Failure was not only possible, it was imminent.”

The information technology service provider didn’t fail and has survived more than a quarter of a century. Gregory gives credit, in part, to his clients.

“Every company I worked with provided lessons—sometimes it was what to do, sometimes what not to do,” he said. “I learned not only by observation, but I also asked these business owners advice, finding some great mentors to learn from along the way. It was a tough road, but I got the best MBA you can get and I wouldn’t change that for anything.”

In addition to IT services, the company was an early pioneer of voice over internet protocol (VoIP), Gregory said.

Network Innovations helps small businesses make good investments in IT. Each client builds a relationship with an IT professional, which allows Gregory’s employees to get to know a client’s business and become part of the team. “ Our clients understand that leveraging technology as an investment drives success.

Information, and how you use it,

KC BUSINESSES THINKING BIGGER 14

THINKING BIGGER BUSINESS :: 25 Under 25 :: 2018

very well may be the difference between success and failure in today’s world.”

25 Under 25 :: 2018

NOTES TO SELF LLC

its product line to include headbands, pillowcases, stickers, baby clothes, T-shirts and more. The company has donated over 43,000 pairs to homeless shelters, women’s shelters and others in need.

The idea, Schmidt said, is to help people create better thoughts about themselves and

Laura Schmidt Prairie Village, Kan. Founded :: 2011 7 FTEs NotesToSelf.com

Laura Schmidt is a big believer in the power of positive thinking. For years, she had a habit of leaving herself positive messages on her bathroom mirror as well as on sticky notes around her house and at work.

She was on a road trip, feet on her dashboard, when inspiration struck.

“I thought, ‘What if I put positive affirmations on the toes of socks?’” said Schmidt, owner of Notes to Self LLC. “Then at least two times a day the person wearing them would see those words, and they would be training their minds.”

Fast forward seven years, and Schmidt’s self-affirming, American-made socks are being sold online and in more than 1,900 stores nationwide. Notes to Self also has expanded

ultimately to have more confidence, happiness and joy in their lives. “ I love the socks, but what we’re doing has very little to do with socks. It’s really about the words.

Words make all the difference.”

A big thanks to our team for all you do to help us share our notes to self socks and the positive messages ®

Congratulations to the 2018 Class!

Success Is Always Cause For Celebration.

Congratulations to “25 Under 25” Recipient Laura Schmidt, founder of Notes To Self Socks.

Julie Nelson Meers www.mobank.com

|

816.881.8275

© 2018 Mobank, a division of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. 16

THINKING BIGGER BUSINESS :: 25 Under 25 :: 2018

25 Under 25 :: 2018

PARTNERS N PROMOTION INC.

PIONEER MUSIC CO. INC.

Vicki Clayman

Lenexa, Kan.

Olathe, Kan.

Founded :: 1869

Founded :: 2008

21 employees

23 employees

PMCAV.com

Dan Haight

PartnersNPromo.com

Vicki Clayman seemed like an unlikely entrepreneur. She didn’t go to college, married young and was a stay-home mom until she was 26. After a divorce, however, her father encouraged her to follow him into sales.

“It was very motivating when you need to put food on the table for your kids,” said Clayman, owner of Partners N Promotion Inc. “I’ve never looked back. I still have customers that I have had since the early years.”

Clayman said she had no business training before she took her father’s career advice, but she worked as a commissioned salesperson for more than 20 years before she decided to start her own business in 2008. The economy was in recession, and banks were giving fewer loans to new small businesses, Clayman said, but her fledgling company turned a profit in its first year and has continued to do so.

Clayman said Partners N Promotion “helps customers create a lasting impression with clients, potential clients and employees” through utilizing promotional merchandise.

The company offers promotional marketing and products for things like trade shows and other events; corporate gifts; and award, incentive and safety recognition programs.

It also offers online store design and management, and fulfilment and warehousing.

For nearly 150 years, Pioneer has delivered high-quality equipment to customers across the Midwest.

In the beginning, it was hardware and farming implements. Today—and for the last few decades since evolving into Pioneer Music Co.—Dan Haight and the team distribute only the best in audio and video equipment.

PMC’s customers are businesses that carry out custom A/V installations for residential and commercial clients in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and southern Illinois. Those client businesses—“custom integrators”— know they can tap into PMC’s rich selection of best-in-class technology, delivered just in time.

In 2005, PMC relocated its distribution headquarters from Chanute, Kan., to Lenexa.

In the past two years, PMC has opened new distribution facilities in Omaha, Neb., and Chesterfield, Mo. Clients in the company’s three largest markets now can receive sameday access, while one-day delivery is available everywhere else in its territory.

Haight plans to enter new markets and add a series of other distribution centers.

New growth will be fueled by a brand-new e-commerce site that PMC just launched.

It’s that kind of forward thinking that will allow PMC, now on its fifth and sixth generation of family ownership, to endure to the seventh, eighth and beyond. “ Business is in our blood. For nearly 150 years, Pioneer Music Co. Inc. has remained passionate, innovative and dedicated to its customers’ success.”

“ We do not just make a sale and walk away. We consult. ... We go to employee meetings and listen to the specific cultural solutions the customer is wanting change within the company using an award-based system.”

SMART COMPANIES THINKING BIGGER®

17

25 Under 25 :: 2018

PRINETA LLC G. Jason Schnellbacher, Tanner Morton, Conner Morton Overland Park, Kan. Founded :: 2009 5 FTEs Prineta.com

Cash is not dead, and an Overland Park company is taking advantage of that.

Prineta is the fastest-growing independent ATM service operator in the U.S., with the largest network of ATM operators serving every major metro area in the country. The company made three ATM portfolio acquisitions in 2017; it has grown from about 100 ATMs in 2005 to more than 1,000 in 2018. The company specializes in hotels and other entertainment venues.

Its most recent acquisition was in December, when Prineta added a portfolio of ATMs along the South Texas Coast. The move expands the company’s footprint in Texas; its service area

18

THINKING BIGGER BUSINESS :: 25 Under 25 :: 2018

already covered San Antonio, Houston and Dallas.

When Prineta was founded in 2009, it offered merchant services accounts for some of the largest bankcard processors in the industry as an independent sales agency. In such a competitive industry, the leaders soon learned this was an unprofitable line of business. They pivoted to focus on ATMs, where the company now earns 90 percent of its revenue.

Prineta plans to continue to seek growth through acquisition. Despite growth in electronic payments, the company still sees a desire by consumers to use cash. “ Try many things, but as you learn, stop doing what is not working and do more of what is working.”

SUREHOSTING INTERNET SOLUTIONS INC. Michael Hendricks Independence, Mo. Founded :: 2004 15 employees SureHosting.com

Michael Hendricks was that kid. You know, the one who could take a computer apart and reassemble it before he was out of kindergarten.

He’s turned that talent and interest into a career in IT and a successful business in SureHosting Internet Solutions.

The company started with hosting services but has evolved into much more. Hendricks said the key to his business success has been focusing on helping clients reduce pain. Most customers are smaller businesses that “have the same requirements for computer help but don’t have the budgets” for a full IT staff.

Hendricks said other reasons for SureHosting’s success are location and the

25 Under 25 :: 2018

team he has assembled. He moved the company to the Midwest from California and said the location has played a role in the company’s growth.

“The people here are so genuine, both professionally and personally,” he said. “They have their eyes on what’s important—and it’s not just financial.”

Hendricks has built an impressive team— the 15 people who work at SureHosting boast nearly 200 certifications among them. Its depth of knowledge is pushing the company to a new growth phase. It projects an increase of $1 million to $3 million in revenue over the next two years. “ The success of SureHosting lies in the team. Leadership has assembled a staff of missioncritical and problem-solving pros by creating culture where they can thrive.”

SYDNEY’S PET SPA Erin Dean Overland Park, Kan. Founded :: 2006 10 employees plus seasonal SydneysPetSpa.com

Erin Dean’s entrepreneurship is all because of her dog, Sydney. Just after graduating from Kansas State University, Dean was traveling a majority of the time with her marketing job.

Sydney was miserable, Dean said.

“She would literally jump over the counter at the vet trying to get to me,” Dean said.

Other solutions, such as meeting her mother halfway between KC and Wichita twice a week for a doggie hand-off weren’t viable long-term.

Dean decided to create her own boarding and pet service so Sydney and other pets could “vacation” while their owners traveled.

Having never been a business owner, Dean looked to her entrepreneur father for help and spent a lot of time “sitting in his office,

hashing it all out” in the first year.

But still, there were jitters.

“When we opened, the phone would ring, and I’d think, ‘What do I do now?’” she said.

Today, Sydney’s has locations in Overland Park and Wichita. This year is about keeping the business moving forward and looking for growth opportunities around the state.

The most important lesson Dean has for other entrepreneurs? Take a breath.

“When I first started, I would get overwhelmed with the smallest stuff. Now I realize it’s all going to still be there tomorrow.”

“ Sydney’s Pet Spa was created from my idea of building a place where all pets and their parents felt welcome and well taken care of.”

Congratulations to the 2018 Class of 25 Under 25 We are honored to be part of this group!

Thanks to all of our clients and friends for contributing to our growth over the past 11 years.

Locally owned and operated for 11 years— Offering South Johnson County: Dog + Cat Lodging • Dog + Cat Grooming • Dog Daycare Sydney’s Pet Spa 13656 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS 66224 • (913) 239-0110 • www.SydneysPetSpa.com Sydney’s Pet Resort 11024 E. 28th St. N., Wichita, KS 67226 • (316) 928-2400 www.SydneysPetResort.com

THIRSTY COCONUT Luke Einsel Olathe, Kan. Founded :: 2012 12 employees ThirstyCoconut.com

When Luke Einsel launched Thirsty Coconut, he wanted to make a dollar—and a difference.

The beverage distributor sells healthier drink alternatives like frozen juice, tea and natural soda to schools, hospitals, restaurants and other customers across six states.

The business also has achieved another major goal of Einsel’s: creating good jobs for the people he cares about.

“I felt I needed to make a difference with my friends and family, and the only way I could do that was to start a business and grow it big enough to hire them and guarantee their employment,” Einsel said.

It hasn’t always been easy. Einsel didn’t pay himself until the third year. Because bank financing was impossible to find, he took his early profits and reinvested them in the business.

As a result, Thirsty Coconut’s culture emphasizes hard work and resourcefulness.

Einsel taught himself how to repair his frozendrink machines by watching videos online, and he’s trained his own crew of technicians instead of depending on another service provider. Whenever a customer places a call for service, Thirsty Coconut can resolve the matter in a day or two.

Thirsty Coconut has even invented new machine parts and is pursuing a patent on one.

“ When we started, we had nothing but a dream. Now we have a company that we can be proud of.”

SMART COMPANIES THINKING BIGGER®

19

25 Under 25 :: 2018

WIDE AWAKE FILMS Shane Seley, Ed Leydecker Kansas City, Mo. Founded :: 1999 10 employees WideAwakeFilms.com

Shane Seley, Ed Leydecker and the team at Wide Awake Films are masters of storytelling, having produced documentaries, ads and corporate videos for Sprint, John Deere, the Kauffman Foundation and a string of other high-profile clients.

But their own story is pretty fascinating, too.

Starting in a single spare room at Seley’s West Plaza home, Wide Awake quickly

earned a national reputation for producing historical films for George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the Civil War Trust, PBS, National Geographic and the History Channel. (And that’s not counting the pieces they’ve created for the Jesse James Farm & Museum, the John Wornall House and other local entities.)

To grow the business, Wide Awake branched into corporate videos and soon was tackling projects for Google, Ash Grove Cement Co., DST and others.

At times, it could feel a little frustrating because most people still called them “the history guys.” Far from being pigeonholed by potential customers, though, Wide Awake’s reputation attracted organizations that specifically wanted to work with filmmakers of their caliber. The Boilermakers, one of the

company’s best clients, discovered Wide Awake from viewing one of their historical film trailers.

“The lesson we learned is, don’t waste time fighting against what makes you unique—embrace it.”

And embrace it they have—along with a string of Emmys, Addys and Tellys.

“ We are all dedicated to the crafts of storytelling and filmmaking— that’s what we all show up every day to do. Delivering an exceptional product to our clients is the ultimate goal, over and above the financial reward.”

Your business opportunities are adding up.

Save time and money with special offers* on solutions designed to help your business succeed.

Talk to us today at 1-888-340-2265 or visit bmoharris.com/builder. *Certain restrictions apply. Banking products and services are subject to bank and credit approval. BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC © 2018 BMO Harris Bank N.A. (1/18)

20 THINKING BIGGER BUSINESS :: 25 Under 25 :: 2018

bmoharris.com

25 Under 25 :: 2018

SM Products, a nine-year-old, high-performance power tool accessory company founded by Joe and Judy Roetheli, selling under the brand name Spyder®, (CLASS OF 2011) has become a nationally recognized brand in this highly competitive power tool accessory channel.

Spyder utilizes innovation and true product differentiation to make jobs easier for the professional and DIYer. This gives Spyder the edge it needs to compete with many of the biggest brands in the world.

Spyder has grown from having one product—the 4-inch Spyder Scraper®—to a brand featuring seven different product lines and more than 180 products. Having gained product placement at some of the largest retailers in the world (e.g., Lowe’s, Menards, Amazon, Grainger, Ace Hardware and many other regional chains), Spyder has shipped over 13,000 retail locations since its inception. Achieving a 19 percent CAGR over the last three years and projecting a 2018 annual growth rate of 55 percent, Spyder continues to exceed industry expectations.

Since the increased exposure stemming from our 25 Under 25 award in 2017, we’ve nearly doubled yet again!

We’ve expanded our staff, our workload, our range of exposure and our income. We are now actively bidding historic restoration jobs from South Dakota to Texas, (CLASS OF 2017) competing on the national stage with the tenured players out of New York and Chicago. We’ve overcome our most enduring challenge—a shortage of qualified laborers—by instituting an apprenticeship program to fast-track new recruits into the ranks, training a whole new generation in the ways of ornamental plaster and paint. This training program represents one of the final pivotal steps on our road to expansion, creating a highly skilled and nonlocal workforce with the means to spread out across the nation and eventually coalesce into satellite offices or even franchises. Cheers KC!

KC Businesses Thinking Bigger—Welcome, 25 Under 25 Class of 2018 Thinking Bigger Business Media Inc. is proud to welcome the 25 Under 25 Class of 2018 to the outstanding group of companies that have received the annual 25 Under 25 Award.

2017

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T S Bob Regnier, The Regnier Family Foundations

Artistic Concrete Surfaces LLC BioStar Lighting Brown Button Estate Sale Services Certified Radon DuBois Consultants Inc. ER | Marketing Fortiviti Generator Studio Hartline Construction

2015

HitchFit International Express Trucking Inc. J. Rieger & Co. Kansas City Bier Company LLC Lever1 MindLift Plasterkraft LLC SafeDefendLLC Sage

SARIN Energy Solutions Sphere3 STRATA Architecture Inc. Superior Disposal Service Inc. Towner Communications LLC Treadwell Worldwide Innovations & Technologies Inc.

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T S Sherry Turner, Founder of OneKC for Women

ABPathfinder Inc. City Gym DRAW Architecture + Urban Design eJ4 Evolytics JNA Advertising The Land Source & Evergreen Real Estate Services Lifted Logic

Likarda LLC Neighborhood Painting Inc. Neuvant House of Lawrence nexus IT group Optimum Energy Solutions REACTOR Design Studio Shockey Consulting Services Spotlight Square One Interiors LLC SRKO Contracting

Structura Inc. Sunlite Science & Technology Inc. Team Drive-Away Inc. Totta Hardwood Flooring LLC Unique Label Inc. Useagility Whatever It Takes Electrical Contractors LLC

2016

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T S John McDonald, Founder of Boulevard Brewing Co.

AlphaGraphics Kansas City Bier Station C&R Manufacturing Core Catalysts LLC Crema Dobies Healthcare Group Eagle Animal Hospital Elite Physical Therapy & Integrative Health

2014

Exhibit Associates Inc. Johnson County Siding & Window Co. Inc. Jowler Creek Vineyard & Winery Kazoo Media Landworks Studio Leopold Gallery & Art Consulting MEDiAHEAD Muehlebach Funeral Care

New You Health Studio Platinum Realty LLC Prairie Design Build Prairie Elder Care Rosin Preservation Sage Restoration Staffing Kansas City Inc. Weave Gotcha Covered WomenSpirit

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T S Bert Berkley, Chairman of the Board, Tension Corporation, William H. Dunn Sr., Chairman Emeritus, JE Dunn Construction, Donald J. Hall, Chairman of the Board, Hallmark Cards

Alight Analytics Engage Mobile Solutions Family Bicycles LLC Gunilla of Sweden Organic Skin Care Heartland Seating Inc. Hilary’s Eat Well INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTS ATELIER INC. k12itc Kansas City Testing and Engineering LLC

Krueger & James Insurance Agency Lauren’s Hope Medical ID Bracelets Level Five LMG Construction Longbranch Communications O’Neill Marketing & Event Management Quality Air Solutions RareWire RESULTS Technology

Sir Speedy Printing and Marketing Services The Tasteful Olive Tricension Turf etc., Authorized SYNLawn Supplier Twentyseven Global VALBRIDGE PROPERTY ADVISORS/Shaner Appraisals Inc. Weather Metrics Inc.

SMART COMPANIES THINKING BIGGER®

21

25 Under 25 :: 2018

2013

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T Patricia Brown-Dixon, Region VII Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration

A/R Allegiance Group LLC Alpha Energy and Electric Inc. Belton Animal Clinic & Exotic Care Center Bullseye International Inc. Cates Auction & Realty Co. Inc. Data Locker Inc. Earthway Enterprises EPIC Entertainment Inc.

2011

3 Women and an Oven Arsalon Technologies Braces by Dr. Hansen EventPros Express Scale Parts & Manufacturing FRD Communications Galvmet Genesis Structures

22

Russell-Hampton Co. Sharma-Crawford Attorneys at Law LLC Snake ‘n’ Rooter The Lano Company TK Architects International Inc. TWI LLC Urban Tree Specialists Worldwide Wine and Spirits Inc.

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T Danny O’Neill, Founder and Bean Baron, the Roasterie

Affinity Group Management Affordable Elegance Catering Associated Equipment Sales Bark to Basics Boyer & Corporon Wealth Management Freedom Bank Great Day Moving GreenAcres Market Harper’s Fabric & Quilt

2009

hr-haven inc.

Lewis Block & Supply Company LTD Signs & Graphics LLC Mano’s Corporate Gifts Mersoft Corporation Midland Metal Office Products Alliance Paige Technologies LLC ReTouch Design–Build– Renovate

Heartland Fabrication & Machine HushMat ikros.com Kansas City Center for Anxiety Treatment Lakewood Animal Health Center Light Bulbs Etc. MidWest Vascular Access

Nationwide Transportation and Logistics Services New Horizons Enterprises Northland Physical Therapy Oncimmune USA The Corridor Group The RED Force Fire & Security The Roasterie Café The Wellington Group Veracity Solutions

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T Kurt Mueller, CEO of the former Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Giltner & Sons Media Services & ShredTime Outlaw Cigar Company P/Strada Paceline Products Pass Dental Center Pat Riha Productions Poole Fire Protection Rainy Day Books

THINKING BIGGER BUSINESS :: 25 Under 25 :: 2018

River City Searcy Financial Services Skyline Displays Heartland TextCaster The Henning Law Firm Tickets For Less TNT Forage Unchained Creative

2012

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T Ewing Kauffman, Founder of Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and serial entrepreneur

Affinis Corp.

American Digital Security American Midwest Distributors Big Momma’s Bakery-Café Blue Skyz Enterprises Inc. candid marketing & communications Consolidated Printing Supplies Great Getaways Travel

2010 40North Aurora Plastic and Hand Surgery Avatar Engineering Botwin Family Partners Bowman Bowman Novick Brockton Creative Group DVA Enterprises Fun Services of KC Homoly Construction

2008 Acceleration AesthetiCare Ard Glass Service CareStaf Convenience Xpress The DVS Group DXD Sports EAT Advertising and Design Express Business Supply

Horizon Orthotic & Prosthetic Experience HSMC InnovaPrep KDC Construction KR Legal Management MAG Trucks & MAG Capital Marathon Digital Services and MySmartPlans Mill Creek Animal Hospital

Moblico Solutions Mr. Tires Orbis Biosciences Rockwell Labs Ltd. SM Products/Spyder SSi Furnishings Summit Construction Company The UPS Store, Oak Park Commons Van Osdol & Magruder P.C.

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T Rick Krska, President and Chief Executive Servant of InkCycle

Insight Eyecare Specialties IntelliThink LeaderFuelNow Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions Max Electric Mobile Surgical Lasers Office Products Recycling Associates Open Methods SCD Probiotics

Scovell Wolfe & Associates Technology Group Solutions The Koehler Bortnick Team of Reece & Nichols Real Estate The Planned Approach Travois Validity Screening Solutions WillCo Technologies

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T V. Cheryl Womack, Chairperson, Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the WorldTM; CEO, VCW Holding Company; CEO, The Star Group

Eye Care Optical Germinder & Associates I Love a Mystery Legacy School of the Arts Mission Bowl Nash Resources Group Olathe Animal Hospital Power On Technologies QTI

ROSnet Rush Tracking Systems Sound Products Stuff Tevis Architects Top Choice Contracting Visionpace

25 Under 25 :: 2018

2007

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T Robert Bernstein, Co-founder, President and CEO, Bernstein-Rein Advertising

All-Weather Window, Doors & Siding Aquarius Associated Audiologists Brookside Barkery & Bath Coleman Industrial Construction Design Ranch el dorado Entrepreneur Advertising Group Finkle|Williams Architecture

2005

Restaurant Link ReUse Concrete Sealing Specialists SoftVu sys-tek Top Innovations Uncommon Grounds Worldwide Clinical Research

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T Honorable Carol Marinovich, Former Mayor/CEO Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas

Adams-Gabbert & Associates Allstate Specialty Construction Bartunek Technology Group BuiltToLastHome.com Caption Services of Kansas CommWorld of Kansas City Design Supply ESC Index Greenleaf Construction Co.

2003

Fish Development FPC Gage Machine Tool Gardner Animal Hospital Hangers Cleaners Industrial Supply Kansas City Master Companies Kansas City T-Bones Baseball Club Magic Touch Cleaning

HOTMETAL Creative Jantsch Slaggie Architects L.R. Cloverleaf Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise Nature’s Window NCES Pegasus Capital Management Prairiebrooke Arts

ProPrint Reynolds Consulting Sturges Word T2–Take Two The Best of Kansas City Union Packaging Versent–The Purple Guys Wrenn Insurance

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T Barnett Helzberg, Jr., Former Chairman of the Board, Helzberg Diamonds; Founder, Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program (HEMP)

Bridal Wreath Business By Promotion C&M Restoration CHRW Advertising Curt’s Famous Meats ECCO Select FIVE STAR Speakers & Trainers Genghis Kahn Hamele Healthcare Resources

Howell Construction Co. iKnowledge Leaderpoint Leatherwood’s Home for Children Nexus Relocation Group Original Juan Specialty Foods R&D Associates Rees Masilionis Turley Architecture

Rudroff Heating & Air Conditioning Russ Cline & Associates S&M NuTec–Greenies Dog Treats Steed Company Remodeling Contractors TeamOffice The Renova Group Threatt Nutrition Stores Transportation Logistics Systems

2006

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T Henry Bloch, Co-founder and Honorary Chair of H&R Block

ABMI–Merger and Acquisitions ACS Data Search AnswerPro Limited Aptora Baber’s Catering Birdies Bryan & Klein Creative Courseware The Culinary Center of Kansas City

2004

Accommodations by Apple Almar Printing The Auto Clinic Corbin Bronze The Cup and Saucer on Delaware Street Custom Engineering Financial Security Advisors Harmon Construction Indigo Wild

Mid-America Merchandising Missouri Office Systems & Supplier OCCU-TEC Prier Products Saepio Technologies Shatto Farms–Shatto Milk Co. Shear Madness

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T Dr. Patricia Greene, Dean of the Undergraduate School at Babson College; former Ewing Marion Kauffman/Missouri, Chair in Entrepreneurial Leadership at UMKC

Ben Weddle & Associates Canterbury Preparatory School City Market Coffee Company Dessonville Boler Wood Murray & Stalp Fulfillment Plus Gini L. Toyne & Associates Gragg Advertising J.M. Neil & Associates KC Creations

2002

Designers Delivery Services Evolv Solutions Felco Printing & Mailing GPW & Associates Home Rental Services Hometown Hearing & Audiology Kenton Brothers Systems for Security LionShare Marketing Metzler Bros. Insurance

Mid-America Sign Contractors Missouri Information Solutions Netchemia Old-Country Bakery Partners in Behavioral Milestones Phoenix Renovation and Restoration Plaza Personnel Scandinavian Country

Schloegel Design Remodel Serve & Clean Sienna Bistro Six Degrees Solutions The Smile Salon Two West Weather or Not YTC Services

E N T R E P R E N E U R I A L L E G AC Y AWA R D R E C I P I E N T Richard Bendis, Former CEO and President, Kansas Technology Enterprise Center

J. Schmid & Associates Junk Architects Meers Marketing Communications Minuteman Press Morningstar Communications Company Network Integration Services Noonshine Window Cleaning Service

PC Wizards Punch Software Roger the Plumber Santa Fe Auto Sound Serenity the Rejuvenating Day Spa SPIDERtel Tatjana Alvegaard Photography Wilson Johnson Embers Your Wellness Connection

SMART COMPANIES THINKING BIGGER®

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